Melvin Dorta

Melvin A. Dorta...hails from Guscara, VEN...was born in nearby Valencia, VEN...attended Colego Teresiano.

2006

Made solid first impression with the Nationals after playing above Double-A for the first time in 8-year pro career...combined to hit .270 with 36 stolen bases for Triple-A New Orleans and Double-A Harrisburg and earn first big league cup of coffee...Nationals purchased contract from Harrisburg July 21...made major league debut that night vs. CHI as a pinch runner in the 8th inning...was thrown out trying to steal 2B...in first big league at-bat the next day, lined out to Aramis Ramirez as a pinch hitter...was optioned to Harrisburg July 23...after being outrighted July 26, had contract purchased August 22 and remained with the Nationals the remainder of the season...appeared in 13 games (2 starts).
Game-By-Game Highlights: Recorded first big league hit in first big league start (SS), the 2nd game of a September 1 twinbill vs. ARI...beat out an infield single off former teammate Livan Hernandez in the 2nd inning...went 2-for-4.
In Minor Leagues: Established career highs in hits (117), runs and stolen bags (36) at 2 minor-league levels...16 doubles also matched career high...led all Nationals minor leaguers with 36 stolen bases...at .270, tied for 6th in Nationals minor-league system in batting...for 2nd straight season, led the EL in strikeout frequency (fanned once every 13.0 at-bats)...was named EL mid-season All-Star as a utility player...posted 3 hits, a homer and 2 RBI in Triple- A debut on August 23 at Iowa...with Harrisburg, ranked 4th in EL in stolen bases with 33...posted season-best 4 hits on June 2 at Binghamton...pitched in one game for the Senators...allowed 4 runs in 1.0 inning on May 21 vs. Akron.

2005

Eclipsed the 100-game plateau for the first time as a professional...posted career highs with 3 triples, 11 home runs and 50 RBI in 2nd season with Harrisburg...played every position except pitcher and catcher...paced the EL in strikeout frequency (fanned just once every 10.0 at-bats)...finished 4-for-4 with 2 RBI, May 11 at Altoona...went 4-for-4 with a double, homer and one RBI on June 22 vs. Norwich.

2004

Advanced to Double-A for the first time and hit .261 with 15 stolen bases in 71 games with Harrisburg...went 20-for-46 (.435) with 4 doubles,2 triples and 7 RBI during season-best 11-game hitting streak, May 31-June 10...appeared most frequently at 3B (33 games), followed by 2B (28), SS (4) and LF (4).

2003

Reached 20 stolen-base plateau for the first time, but struggled at the plate, batting .216 in 86 games with Single-A Sarasota of the Florida State League...was Sarasota's primary 2B...closed strong, batting .311 in 13 August contests...hit .300 (12-for-40) with runners in scoring position and 2 outs.

2002

Batted .257 in first foray in the Florida State League...played only 2B...notched 3 straight 2-hit efforts, April 4-6.

2001

In first season on US soil, combined to hit .318 (67-for-211) for Augusta of the Single-A South Atlantic League and BOS' Rookie-level GCL entry...began season in GCL and posted multi-hit efforts in 11 of 21 games...went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI in US debut on June 21 at GCL Twins...hit .408 in the GCL before being promoted to South Atlantic League on July 23...went 1-for-6 in first 2 SAL games, then posted a 10-game hitting streak, July 25-August 5...hit .378 (14-for-37) during the 10-gamer.